Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-06-21 Daily Xml

Contents

Emergency Services Volunteer Recruitment

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (24 March 2016).

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety): I am advised:

There are two programs which allow for volunteers who move from rural and regional areas into metropolitan areas to continue volunteering and maintain their skills with the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS).

The CFS State Operations Support Brigade is a metropolitan based brigade that assists with communications, logistics and support roles during major incidents and during busy operational times.

There are currently 23 members in this brigade. Members within this brigade are able to access training and are provided with personal protective clothing (PPC). Members of this brigade often reside in metropolitan locations, allowing volunteers who may have moved from rural or regional areas to maintain their skills and continue volunteering with the CFS.

In addition to the State Operations Support Brigade, the CFS received $1.11 million over four years in the 2015-16 state budget to develop a state response team. This funding includes support and management of the State Response Team, PPC for response team members and two fire appliances.

There are currently 43 members in the State Response Team. Members are trained and able to respond to operational incidents when required. The State Response Team also provides the CFS with a surge capacity during periods of high operational activity.

The State Response Team is based in Salisbury and members who reside across metropolitan Adelaide are able to join the team.